Mental Health and Wellness

MHSSA (Mental Health Student Services Act): MHSSA As part of a coordinated effort to expand access to mental health services for children and youth on school campuses, SBCOE and the San Benito County Behavioral Health Department (SBCBH) applied for and received the MHSSA Grant. The $2.5 million grant will enable the partners to strengthen existing partnerships with schools in the county and increase the number of mental health providers.

With the addition of mental health staff in schools, the need for coordination and streamlined referral processes has also become evident. SBCOE supported seven mental health therapists and social workers in schools throughout San Benito County. Part of the funding is being used to build collaboratives that bring together decision-makers from SBCOE, SBCBH and San Benito County Districts as well as county mental health service providers who serve students on and off school campuses.

Initiative Goal: To increase access to behavior, social emotional and mental health resources and support, from prevention education to early intervention, school-based mental health services and community mental health care service, providing a tiered level of practices, support and services for students facing behavioral, social emotional challenges and mental health needs.

LCSSP (Learning Communities For School Success Program): LCSSP In its third and final year of the LCSSP Grant, SBCOE continued to partner with Aromas San Juan Unified School District, Hollister Elementary School District and San Benito High School District to hire three School Social Workers to provide case management and therapy to students. Services focus on students who are chronically absent, with the goal of developing resiliency strategies and a positive self-concept so students are successful in school. School Social Workers provide counseling and therapeutic intervention for students and families as well as training and workshops for parents and school staff. School Social Workers also conduct home visits and facilitate individual and group counseling sessions to address specific social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students. Grant activities have been instrumental in bringing students back to school and improving academic outcomes.